Dr. Black Discusses Immunotherapy Biomarkers in Bladder Cancer

Peter Black, MD, senior research scientist, Vancouver Prostate Centre, associate professor, Department of Urologic Sciences, University of British Columbia, discusses immunotherapy biomarkers in bladder cancer.

Investigators are actively investigating biomarkers in bladder cancer. Black says that only about 20% to 25% of patients achieve an objective response to immunotherapy. Moreover, the drugs are expensive and potentially toxic, so it is important to select the right types of patients for them.

The easiest biomarker is PD-L1 immunohistochemistry, but currently has no utility in patients with bladder cancer, Black says.